Handbag in hand, she practiced her saunter toward her door with a gentle sway of her hips. The ring of the bell startled her. She peered out the small peephole and smiled when Suzanne came into view. Unlocking the triple deadbolts, she swung the door open and walked out the door.
“Hey, thought I was going to meet you there,” she greeted before stepping out and locking up.
Suzanne beamed a smile at her. “The girls thought you might back out, so I came for moral support.”
“I guess this means you’re driving.” Briar slid her handbag onto her shoulder, trailing behind Suzanne to her SUV.
“How else are we gonna get you set up with the perfect man?” Suzanne teased.
Briar liked the glimmer of amusement in her best friend’s eyes. Suzanne’s energy had a knack of rubbing off on others. While it exhausted her most of the time, she loved the woman’s personality. She wished she could feed off it like one of those emotional vampires she read about in novels. Stories like those gave her a way to escape real life stressors. The happy endings were nice to believe in for a little while, even though current circumstances have tainted her view of them.
“There is no such thing as a perfect man.” She clasped her seatbelt and flipped the radio onto her favorite station. “The very idea is a trick of the mind.”
“Well, having someone is better than remaining alone,” Suzanne quipped pulling into traffic.
“Suz, starting a new business monopolized my time.” Briar hoped the weak excuse would quiet her friend. Warmth filled the vehicle as she flipped on its heater. Scrolling the vent knobs down to warm her feet, she released a sigh. The heat felt good on her cold toes, so good she wiggled them.
“You should never be too weighed down to take time for yourself. We’ve been worried, Bri. Being a recluse doesn’t work well with you. We want to see the spark of fire back in your eyes. We want our girl back, and we’re determined to help get her—”
“I don’t know if she exists anymore. I invested so much emotionally, physically, financially…” Briar shrugged. “How can I go back to being naïvely trusting? Would you?”
“I don’t have to walk a mile in your shoes to know what you’re going through. We’ve been friends for so long, you’re like an extension of my arm. Look at the situation a different way. Go in at this looking for a new start, not a promise of a beautiful ending. There’s plenty of road left for that. Along the way you can decide on how much you want to give of yourself. How soon is too soon. Promise to let loose for tonight,” Suzanne said as she turned the corner of Vine Street and pulled into a parking lot.
“Okay. I’ll have some drinks and loosen up, but I’m not leaving with anyone you drag over to end my misery. If by some chance someone is interested in me we’ll see what happens. Deal?
“Deal. I have to warn you that Carissa and Darcy are already inside.”
“Still, not leaving with anyone...” Briar reaffirmed to most likely deaf ears.
“No, of course not, but we can hope you change your mind.”
Suzanne’s intense expression made her laugh as she unclasped her seatbelt before getting out of the SUV. “Calm down. Let’s go have some margaritas and relax.” She rounded the vehicle and walked up the icy drive, careful not to slip. Suzanne locked arms with her keeping pace. Half melted rock salt littered the ground. Small fragments crunched under foot with each step to the front door of O’Kelley’s. Suzanne’s wink of encouragement helped as she tugged the handle.
Chapter Two
The familiar scent of beer, food and peanuts enveloped Briar as she and Suzanne made their way inside. Music played through large speakers on stands eclipsed the sound of pool balls being hit into pockets but not the low murmur of people chatting or the upbeat ambience. Briar took her ID out for the doorman to scan through a machine before standing aside so that Suzanne could do the same. Once they got their cards back, the two moved past the foyer.
“They’re in the back sitting at a table near the bar,” Suzanne said.
“How do you know that?” Briar asked as she navigated them through the occupants of the pub and grill. “Something smells good,” she commented on the aromas coming from the kitchen. A waitress maneuvered around them carrying a sizzling platter.
“Darcy sent me a text message.” Suzanne pointed to where the others were sitting. “All right, all right, they have a pitcher, for us. Time for the real fun to begin.” Inside her friend’s bubbly interior a lush lay waiting to come out to play.
“Enthused much?” Briar laughed. She was surprised to realize how good laughing felt again. “Come on.” She dragged Suzanne after her, weaving through the packed crowd.
“Bout time.” Darcy smiled, pulling out a chair for Briar.
“Intervention time.” Carissa’s gaze inspected the crowd around them. Briar knew she was looking for possible victims or guinea pigs for her.
“Damn it, I don’t need intervention.” Briar poured Suzanne a margarita from the pitcher before pouring herself one. She scooped a shot of ta-kill-ya off the table, tossing it down the hatch. As the burn made her stomach turn, she lifted the drink to her mouth, flicked her tongue across the gritty sour salt and sipped her favorite drink. Strawberry margaritas tasted indescribable, especially since she hadn’t had a drop of liquor in months.
Strains of soft rock played from the house band, sectioned away from the big screen televisions with various football games stretched across the best entertainment systems money could buy. Briar scanned the crowd while toying with her drink, a ploy to make sure she paced herself. A few good-looking males without females on their arm sat at the bar and a few tables. No doubt her three best friends would pander her to the first hottie they set eyes on. When Suzanne’s jaw opened wide with her hummina expression, she whipped her head around to see what provoked the instant lust.
“Aye papi.” Briar had never seen anybody so attractive. He had to know his utter affect on anyone with a pulse. God help the person he landed, because they would need nerves of steel to deal with the onslaught of attention sent his way.
Why am I thinking this?
Suzanne nudged her under the table with a boot. “Briar, stop staring,” she hissed under her breath.
“I…ah-oh…” Tearing her gaze away, Briar felt her cheeks heat, looking at her friends. “Sorry, guess that happens when you all go speechless.” She shrugged, taking a big gulp of her margarita. A choking pain seized her before a coughing fit ensued as she tried to clear the alcohol from her wind pipe. “Ohh the burn,” she whimpered.
“Right there is one piece of sin I’d go to Hell for,” Carissa crooned.
“Amen,” both Suzanne and Darcy chimed. She wouldn’t agree and give them the opportunity to set her up with him.
“He’s okay.” Briar snuck one more peek. Her interest leaned against the bar with a beer bottle against his lips. Lucky for her, he couldn’t see her raking her gaze over him, taking in the tattoo running the length of his left arm. Nor could he see her body tremble, or smell the faint scent of her sex dampening her panties from just sizing up his entire package. She drained her margarita and turned back to her table. Her three friends gave her knowing stares.
“He is the one,” Darcy said with a smug grin.
“Definitely. She can’t take her eyes off him. And wait. Check out the way he keeps glancing our way,” Suzanne exclaimed.
“Stop. I don’t want him.” Okay, that lie didn’t count. She did want him—so bad she could taste how his skin felt on her tongue. She wanted to lick him from top to bottom like no one’s business. However, her friends did not, in no way, form or fashion, need to know that. “We just got here. Can ya’ll tone your craze to get me laid down a tad, please? I repeat I do not want him.”
“Think her nose’ll grow?” Carissa grinned.
“Wonder where he came from? He’s not homegrown here in Kansas City. He could be just passing through which is too good an opportunity to pass up girlfriend.” Suzanne’s words rang true. S
he’d have a chance for a one night stand without the hassle of awkward phone calls or second dates. A sexy man passing through could be the one thing to get her moving forward again.
“What color do you think his eyes are?” Darcy asked as she refilled glasses.
“Chocolate brown,” Briar answered, licking salt off the rim of her drink.
“I say black as sin,” Suzanne countered.
“Dark blue, so dark they border on black,” Carissa supplanted.
Hmmm, was there such a thing as blue-black?
If they kept staring his way, he wouldn’t need their loud whispering to know they were talking about him.
“We’re out of margaritas. Here Bri, you go get the refill and report back to us the color of his eyes.” Darci thrust the empty pitcher to her, sporting a mischievous glint in her eyes.
She took possession of the sticky container and wiped her hand on the side of her pants, hoping she didn’t leave a streak of margarita salt on them, wishing for hand sanitizer.
“You three waste no time. I love you all, but seriously? One of you could easily go see for yourselves.” Huffing a breath while glaring daggers at them, Briar tossed her hat off her head, making sure it land on her chair. She sauntered up to the bar, beaming a smile at the bartender before setting the empty container in front of him. “A refill please,” she requested as she opened her purse to withdraw her credit card. A hand snaked out to stop her and grazed over the top of her knuckles. Jolts of energy spiked across her skin, traveling with a rush to her core. She swallowed hard in an attempt to formulate a coherent sentence. Tingling deliciously from the tiny touch, the stranger’s presence overwhelmed her.
“Let me treat you.” The voice who owned the hand produced his own card and handed it directly to the bartender.
“I—we, can pay for our own,” she stammered. She waited for the deep lazy drawl in his out-of-the-blue-offer to leave his lips and caress her ears again, setting off a keg of powder to ignite within her.
“It’s my pleasure to buy four beautiful ladies a drink.” He held out his hand to her. “By the way, my name is Sloan.”
“Briar.” She returned his greeting seconds later at his prodding expression. The calloused grooves of his hand scraped her palm eliciting a silent groan of pleasure. “Nice to meet you.” She lifted her gaze level with his losing herself in the darkest brown orbs she’d ever seen—ones she’d drown in. Sloan belonged in a magazine. He did look a bit familiar but she couldn’t place his face. Possibly she’d seen him in a commercial or something.
“Thank you.” She took in the slight curve to his nose, suppressing the urge to trail her finger over it. One would think a crooked nose would make him less handsome, but the opposite gained her apt attention.
“Want to check my teeth?” he joked, his accent thick.
“No,” she responded, suddenly apprehensive. “Thanks for the margaritas. Carissa, Darcy, and Suz are sure to be thankful for the nice words and free drink.” She stepped out of arms reach.
“How about you?”
“Yes, I appreciate the gesture.” She thanked God for her mocha skin color or he’d see a definite blush tinting her face. With her hand on the pitcher, she forced herself to move back to the table. Three sets of eyes eagerly waited for her to dish the digs.
“So?” Carissa prodded.
“Dark brown, so dark they melt into black. His voice seduced me. So yes, that’s one tall drink of sin right there.” She dazed off remembering how his mouth moved as he spoke, the cleft in his chin, dimples she itched to stroke. “He bought our pitcher and when he shook my hand, it felt like a caress more than a handshake.” Smiling, she continued her description. “His name is Sloan. He works hard at whatever he does.” Realizing she was giving her friends more encouragement to set her up, she topped everyone’s drinks. “We should toast to him in thanks.” She lifted her glass up, turning her body sideways. When she secured his attention, Briar kicked the others under the table to do the same. Hell, even his half nod of acknowledgment sent a jolt of lust down her spine.
“He is into you.” Suzanne tipped her drink into her mouth. “The question remains, what do you plan on doing to keep his interest?”
“Nothing.” Briar tucked a strand of her ebony hair behind her ear, sipped her drink and tried not to stalk the man with her traitorous stare. The alcohol finally took hold, working its magic, soothing her nerves, giving aid in relaxing her.
“Bullshit. He has the appearance of a sexual god. Notice his hair, his eyes, and I don’t need to remind you of his voice. We’re all melting over here, and he’s not even for one of us. Though, I might attempt to woo him my way, but it is apparent that he only has eyes for you. Imagine all the alcohol induced fornication you could embark on with him.” Suzanne sighed.
“Suz!” At the best of times, the words that came out of her mouth took the cake, this one no different painting a picture of naughty possibilities.
“Don’t blame a girl for wondering. Now pay attention. He’s boring holes in the back of your head staring at you with his beer in hand. Why don’t you go over and make conversation with him? You do remember how to flirt right?” Suzanne picked up her drink and took a long swig of the red icy mixture before looking her dead in the eye. “Girls, let’s leave Bri to herself. Maybe if she doesn’t get the balls to go talk to him, he’ll take the hint and come over and talk to her.” Suzanne stood, so did Darcy and Carissa.
“Seriously?” Briar replied with sarcasm. They were ding dong ditching her without the doorbell, leaving her to fend on her own. This wasn’t easing into the dating scene again. It was throwing a girl in the deep end, letting her sink or swim.
“Yeah Bri, you need to move on. God, how much better can you get than him?” Carissa jerked a thumb at Sloan.
Bri watched her friends depart and sighed into her drink. She debated on going up to him. What would I say? I want you to take me home and fuck me? No, she couldn’t—wouldn’t—do that. A quick turn of her head ensured he indeed showed every sign of being interested in her. Forgoing her drink, she grasped the half empty pitcher, tilted the edge to her lips and drank. Not one sip spilled on her outfit. Briar licked her lips, deciding to make her move. Her heart hammered so loud in her ears she looked around to make sure others didn’t notice. Her palms dampened with each step closer in his direction. Clasping her palms behind her back and adding a smile to her face, she continued on her one way destination. She kept her gaze on him until she was close enough to touch him.
“Hello again.” She lifted her hands to his chest with brazen intent, giving in to the need to run them along his upper body. His gaze locked with hers and she thought she saw a glimmer of desire race through them.
“Hello there. Having fun?” Sloan placed his hands over Briar’s.
“A little, but I could be having a better time.” Get out, where did that husky breathless sound departing my lips come from? His hands prevented her from continuing to trace the contours of his broad shoulders.
“Why don’t we get out of here?” She let the implication drop, wishing her friends were around to see their plan begin to come to fruition.
Sloan released her hands, sliding an arm around her shoulders, drawing her into his body. She breathed in his scent, amazed he’d accepted with so little effort on her part. Stunned stupid, she leaned into his embrace and walked out of the bar with him. Of course, her friends spied her, giving her a thumbs up signal. Their eagerness made her wonder if she’d been set up beforehand with a male escort.
Chapter Three
Sloan groaned. The hot little number attached to his side, housed more sexuality than she probably knew. He directed her toward his sports car, and unlocked the passenger side. After she settled in, he shut the door tight, jogged to the driver’s side and slid in, folding his long legs into the small cabin. “Belt up.”
“Yes, papi.“ Briar laughed. He watched as she stretched the belt across her lap into the buckle. “What is it you do?”
“I just transferred here.” He shrugged, keeping his response deliberately vague. As soon as chicks learned what he did, the questions never stopped, and dollar signs twinkled in their eyes. He found both insulting and offensive.
“Must be a nice job. But let me give you a tip. If privacy is your game, you’d better get a city car and hide this baby at home or every gold digging girl is going to be lusting after you…and not just because of your fantastic ass.” Briar smoothed her hair down. In that instant he realized she left her hat at the pub. He’d have it returned to her in the morning. Right now, the way she flicked her tongue over her bottom lip made him hard as ice as well as too tempting to leave alone.
He leaned over to kiss her lips. “Sass is sexy.” Rejoicing in her inability to move thanks to the seatbelt, he took his time ruthlessly sweeping in and out of her mouth, tasting her sweetness. Her strawberry flavored lip balm lingered on his bottom lip. Just when he thought she’d pull away, she clutched him and thrust her own tongue into his mouth. His dick throbbed, hot and heavy ready to be buried in her pussy. If he didn’t get her to his place soon, he’d risk breaking the law by fucking her in his car. No woman made him forget being responsible.
“Damn they were right.” Briar sighed into his mouth, drawing back from him.
Briar's Champion Page 2
